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The Skinny on Obesity (Ep. 1): An Epidemic for Every Body

Submitted by Scott Pirie on Thu, 2012-05-17 23:49

How did we get so fat, so fast? The debut episode of this 7-part series debunks the theory that obesity only affects the "gluttons and sloths" among us and is, in fact, a public health problem that impacts everyone. This is part 1 of a fascinating series produced by the University of California and makes shocking viewing. Take the time to sit and watch it all the way through, then sit and think about it. If you're older, you'll pretty much know when these changes started to occur. You'll remember when food got fast and we shied away from meat n two veg in favour of something quicker, easier or more exotic. At the same time you'll be able to make the correlation of when we changed from a society with a few overweight or obese people to a society where excess weight and obesity is almost the norm.

It is estimated by 2013, 42% of Americans will be overweight or obese. Not good as those trends quickly spread to the rest of the developed world - we never like to be left behind. For those that are younger, again, watch and pay attention. You still have time to change. And by that, I don't mean change of a Herculean proportions, but small simple changes and better choices about what you eat and how you live your life that will most probably save your life.

The NHS wont always be around to pick up the pieces. At the current rate of increase of type 2 diabetes, it will cost the NHS £17 BILLION pounds a year to medicate by 2020. That is for one preventative disease per year. Now multiply those sorts of figures for other diseases related to excessive weight and very quickly you'll realise that no Governement and indeed no country can even concieve of carrying that sort of burden for the long term. So what will happen then? Private healthcare insurance? They'll give you a health screen and a hefty premium if you're not up too scratch. So make the change now, yourself. Or help someone you know. Be a true friend and pull someone back from the edge.